The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 123: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

106 THE COURT OF LONDON “Ts her ladyship at home? ”’ he inquired of the domestic who immediately answered the summons. “Yes, my lord,’’ was the reply. ‘““ And I believe that the Countess of Curzon is with her? ”’ said the earl, assuming an air as if nothing were wrong. “Yes, my lord,’’ was again the reply. ‘‘ Her ladyship the countess arrived about a quarter of an hour ago.”’ ‘Ah! so I understood in Grosvenor Street,”’ said the earl, alluding to his own mansion. “I have only just returned from the Continent, and learned that the countess had come to pass the evening with Lady Lechmere. Did you happen to hear at what hour the countess ordered the carriage to return for her? ”’ “At midnight, my lord,’’ answered the livery servant, ‘“ But here is my mistress.” At this moment Lady Lechmere, who had wfheard the double knock at the door, was seen descending the stairs, and a shade suddenly passed over her countenance as she caught sight of the Earl of Curzon. But instantaneously recovering her presence of mind, she extended her hand with a graceful smile, saying, ‘‘ And so your lordship has returned from your Continental trip? But pray walk in,” and she conducted him into a parlour opening from the hall. “Your ladyship is very kind,’’ said the earl, as she desired him to be seated, *‘ but — ”’ “ Oh, if you are in a hurry, I will not attempt to detain you,” she exclaimed, with well-affected self-possession, though in her heart she experienced a misgiving. ‘“ When did you come home? for I understood that you were not expected until to-morrow evening.”’ “ But it suited me, my lady,” said the earl, with a peculiar smile of malignity and in a tone of irony which enchanced Lady Lechmere’s uneasiness, — “‘ it suited me to return earlier than I was expected. I believe Editha 1s with you? ”’ “Yes, she is come to pass the evening with me,” said Lady Lechmere, her looks now again betraying her con- fusion. ‘ But to tell you the real truth,” she added, “ your dear countess, whom I love as if she were my own daughter, has been suddenly seized with a slight indisposition. There is no danger, — it will soon pass away, — but she has gone up-stairs to lie down for an hour or so — ”’ ) CORNICLIOOKS (E(0)